1,000 troops head for Scots base

By David Maddox
Published on Thursday 10 November 2011 00:00

ALMOST 1,000 troops are to be moved to the former RAF base at Kinloss next summer, two years earlier than expected, the Ministry of defence will announce today.

The announcement is the first part of the MoD’s plans for rebasing an extra 3,000 troops in Scotland by 2020 as it withdraws 18,000 soldiers from Germany.

The rise in the number of soldiers to a total of about 6,500 is part of attempts to increase the military footprint in Scotland and also make up for losses incurred by closing two RAF bases north of the Border.

However, there were fears last night that the announcement means there will be a 40 per cent reduction in the number of personnel based at Kinloss.

Today’s announcement will confirm 930 soldiers in 39 Engineer Regiment (Air Support) will move from Waterbeach near Cambridge to Kinloss in the summer of 2012.

An MoD source said Kinloss could only expect “a few more” troops in the future with more being rebased at RAF Leuchars and other bases around Scotland, with the number expect to rise to 1,200.

But SNP critics said that when Kinloss was an RAF base, it had a staffing level of 1,567.

There was also some speculation that the decision to send the army earlier than expected to Kinloss was because a gap would be left in the Moray economy. The military footprint in Scotland is set to drop significantly, with Leuchars being closed as well before most of the new 3,000 soldiers arrive.

An MoD source said: “The fact is that there are good facilities available at Kinloss, so the decision was that it would be appropriate to move 39 Engineer Regiment early.”

Moray MP and SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said: “It is welcome that the army will move to Kinloss. However, the base will have a considerably reduced number of personnel.

“Moray is the most defence-dependent constituency in the country and the local economy and community has suffered terribly because of MoD cuts.”

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Mercutio

Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 08:08 AM

#1 Don't be so childish.

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Hearthammer

Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 08:00 AM

Hmmm, could this be the advance guard if the uppity Scots vote for independence?.................................................................................Remember, NEVER trust a unionist!

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